Automatic adjuster for suction-sweepers.



J. R. VAN DER PUTTEN. AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER FOR SUCTION SWEEPERS.

APPLICATION HLED JAN. 8. I9 I 6.

Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

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AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER FOR SUCTION-SWEEPERS.

ToaZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, 'JoHN R. VAN DER PUTTEN, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at New Philadelphia, in the county of Tuscarawas and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Automatic Adjuster for Suction-Sweepers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in an automatic adjuster for suction sweepers, in which a spring actuated roller is employed and traveling wheels adapted to support the sweeper and provide a fulcrum whereby a rocking movement is permitted.

The objects of the present invention are, first, to provide means for holding the front of the sweeper in proper relationship with the surface over and upon which the sweeper is moved, and second to maintain the proper position of the front or nozzle portion of the sweeper in proper relationship with reference to the carpet, rug, floor or other surface designed to be cleaned, regardless of different thicknesses or variances upon the surface or surfaces. These objects, together with other objects readily" apparent to thoseskilled in the art, may be attained by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, although the invention may be embodied in other forms, the construction illustrated being chosen by way of example.

In the drawings: Figure l is a side elevation showing my -improved automatic adjuster properly connected. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the nozzle tilted down. Fig. 3 is a detached view of the roller and its different parts. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the roller attaching bracket, showing the actuating spring and roller yoke in proper relationship to each other.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures-of the drawings.

In the accompanying drawing, 1 represents the sweeper frame or casing WllICh within itself does not form any specific part of the present invention, except that the ordinary suction sweeper must necessarlly be present. To the front or forward portion of the sweeper casing are attached the traveling wheels 2 (one of which is shown). The wheel located upon the opposite side of the casing is the same in construction and Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

Application filed January 8, 1916. Serial No. 70,891.

arrangement. For the purpose of giving an easy rocking movement to the sweeper proper, it 1s desirable to pivot the handle connecting yoke 3 at its bottom lower end directly above the axles 4.

It is well understood that it is of importance that the suction nozzle of a suction carpet sweeper should be maintained in proper contact upon-the surface over and upon which the sweeper is moved and the present invention has to do with devices whereby the suction nozzle is automatically maintained in proper contact, regardless of various thicknesses. At the rear of the suction nozzle is located the roller 5, which roller is loosely mounted upon the yoke 6, which yoke is pivotally attached to the bracket 7 which bracket is securely attached to the bottom or underside of the sweeper casing 1 in any convenient and well known manner.

For the purpose of limiting the swinging movement of the yoke 6, the bracket 7 is provided with the stop lugs 8. Around the portion of the yoke 6 which is located in the open slot 9 is the tension spring 10, one end of said spring being secured to said yoke and the opposite end to some part of the bracket, preferably one of the end flanges. It will be understood that as the nozzle is moved up and down by reason of any unevennessof the surface over and upon which the sweeper is moved, the frame will rock upon the traveling wheels 2 or more specifically upon the axles .4, and for the purpose of automatically holding the nozzle the spring actuated roller 5 is provided, the spring 10 being tensioned so that it will actuate the yoke in one direction, by which arrangement the nozzle portion of the sweeper is at all times held in proper contact without any reference to the manipulation of the handle 11.

It will be understood that the oscillatin movement of the yoke is slight, the move ments being limited by reason of the stop lugs 8, but the stop lugs 8 should be spaced far enough apart to allow the rear-portion of the sweeper to move up and down a short distance, the yoke swinging forward or toward the nozzle when the rear portion of the frame is moved upward and the yoke moving rearward and away from the nozzle when the rear portion of the sweeper is rocked downward, or in other words the roller is moved to or from the bottom or underside of the sweeper casing, as said casing rocks upon its pivotal point orthe axles.

.In the drawings I have illustrated a helical spring adapted to actuate the yoke, but it will be understood that the purpose of the spring shown can be accomplished, regardless of its particular form, as the only object is to move the roller carrying yoke in the direction to bring it into a nearer vertical position as the nozzle or front portion of the casing is moved downward.

Having fully described my invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In a device of the character described, the combination of a suction sweeper, a bracket secured to the underside of the sweeper, said bracket provided with stop lugs, a yoke pivotally connected to the bracket,a roller loosely mounted upon the yoke, a tension spring, one end of said tension spring secured to the yoke and the opposite end to the bracket and the yoke located between the stop lugs of the bracket.

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN R. VAN DER PUTTEN. 

